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Writing Sample Question

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:24 pm
by canosodaooo
Half way done with my summer job and haven't really had a chance to get a good writing sample. I do have somethings I could use, but overall everything I've done has been rushed and not heavily edited.

I am wondering if it is looked down upon to use a brief/ memo from 1L writing classes at OCI. I got a a very good grade on my brief and don't think I could get a better writing sample since it is as close to perfect as I think I can get a writing sample. Has a potential employer ever asked for a writing sample specifically from a job? I am wondering if I should just get something just in case. Or should I throw out the idea of using a brief from class?

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:28 pm
by canosodaooo
Anybody have any advice on this?

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:34 pm
by Anonymous User
I am using my appellate brief. A wise professor of mine said that using an appellate brief is proper for most employers.

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:37 pm
by jess
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Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:45 am
by tmgarvey
If your brief from class represents your best work, by all means use it. Very few law students are going to be preparing finished products for submission to court in a summer job. Your goal is to show that you can write. Whatever displays that to your best advantage is what you should submit as a writing sample.

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:48 am
by Anonymous User
I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:54 am
by kalvano
Anonymous User wrote:I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?
You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:05 pm
by Anonymous User
kalvano wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?
You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.
Ya it was a predetermined topic and we were required to write a memo on the topic. It wasn't something I pulled from writing class and submitted. Just generally, would something written specifically for a journal application, assuming it was quality work, be an apporpiate writing sample to send to a firm?

Re: Writing Sample Question

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:15 pm
by kalvano
Anonymous User wrote:
kalvano wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?
You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.
Ya it was a predetermined topic and we were required to write a memo on the topic. It wasn't something I pulled from writing class and submitted. Just generally, would something written specifically for a journal application, assuming it was quality work, be an apporpiate writing sample to send to a firm?

Sure. I don't think it matters where it comes from, as long as it is quality work.